Media Training 101 – Never Admit Responsibility

If you ever wonder how much you see and hear in the media is bullshit, training or legitimate, have a listen to the A Current Affair interview with the 2 DJ’s who made the prank call to the King Edward VII hospital sparking a terrible chain of events.

It’s a beautiful example, I think, of media training and legal implications driving the interview.

Genuine?? I wouldn’t think so.

Covering your ass legally?? Yep.

You’d be reasonable to believe that the legal team have got hold of the DJ’s and said “Whatever you do, don’t say that it’s an outcome that could have been expected in any way, shape or form.”

Because if a reasonable person could have expected this outcome, then they’re in strife.

You’ll hear the same old phrase (or a close version) frequently during the interview.

“…I don’t think anyone could have forseen where this would go, no one could have predicted this at all…..”

“…..I dont think anyone could have expected or forseen what was, what was going to happen…it was completely innocent….”

“…I don’t think anyone would have thought, that it would had the outcome you know…”

“…the set of circmstances could never be predicted by anyone, I don’t think…”

“…no one could have predicted this at all….”

“……not anything that anyone could have ever imagined was going to have happened…”

“…..no one could have imagined this to happen….”

“…it’s not something, as I said, that we set out to do or could ever have imagined…”

“……it was never intended to be anything, there was no malice, no intent…..”

See how they don’t acknowledge any responsibility and keep repeating the phrase (or a close version) of “….no one could have forseen the outcome…”

That’s called covering your ass.

It’s your typical “politician interview” – it doesn’t matter what the question is, the answer is still the same.

About Brendon Sinclair

Brendon is the Founder and CEO of Tailored Media. He is one of those rare creatures who can not only tell you how to do it, he’s done it himself, with a vast array of experience across a broad range of areas from marketing public companies, national brands, large retail operations and much more.